How To Uninstall Android Applications the RIGHT Way

There are several methods that one can take when on a mission to uninstall Candy Crush or any other application that you may want to delete from your existence.

Quick question before we start…
What is the one thing worse than someone who plays Candy Crush?

Answer: Someone who plays Candy Crush with the sound ON. 😀

Special thanks to my muse for that one. You know who you are.

Ok, well anyone who knows me knows I love metaphors, so humor me…

One can think of any application package as a big overstuffed garbage bag. The problem arises when you want to take it out to the curb for clean-up day. Well, you decide to drag it down your steps and across the pavement, and it tears along the way leaving residual trash lining the sidewalk…residual stinky trash that is. YUM, makes me hungry.

Does it get the job done? Well kinda, but it’s sure as heck the half*ss way to do it. You’re gonna have to go back and pick up everything that was torn from that bag eventually. Those left over files that get abandoned after an incomplete deletion of a certain application are just like this unwanted litter. You can certainly leave it, but it is going to affect the performance of your device in due time.

What you need to do is carry that trash bag instead of dragging it. This method may involve one or two more taps of your index finger ::OH THE CALAMITY:: but those garbage men (is this ok to say, or am I being politically incorrect?) will be able to retrieve the bag unscathed, thus removing all remnants of a weeks worth of ramen noodle packaging. Ok, now I’m really hungry.

I’m not going to get all technical on you guys and go into great detail, because unless you actually use a file explorer or plug your phone into a computer, you’re never going to see these left over files. Just take my word that they are there.

Here are a couple of ways that you may be DRAGGING that application trash bag: (BAD)

Downloading an application uninstaller app from the Play Store. To each their own, but to me it just seems silly that one would download an app to delete an app. While some may do the job correctly, there is no knowing what exactly you are getting from these, so I would steer clear.

Uninstalling the app from its own Google Play Store download page.

Going into the applications list page, selecting the “uninstall” option and then clicking the little minus symbol to your heart’s content.

Now that we got that out-of-the-way, here is what you should be doing. (GOOD)

It involves a couple of simple steps. You need to go into your Settings and then choose “Applications” or “Application Manager.” Once on the screen that lists your DOWNLOADED applications, search for the one that you have a personal vendetta against and click on it. Here is the important part that must be done in this order:

1. Force Stop 2. Clear Cache 3. Clear Data 4. Uninstall

Aaaaaaaand that’s how it’s done. Repeat said process until you are done with your spring cleaning, and always remember to take out the trash correctly . Time to make that Ramen…